Local News
Suspect in Santa Maria courthouse explosion had court appearance – NBC Los Angeles
What to Know
- Five people suffered injuries that are not life-threatening in an explosion at a Santa Barbara County courthouse.
- The explosion in Santa Maria was intentionally set with an improvised explosive device, the sheriff’s department said.
- The suspect had been arrested on a firearms violation and had a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday.
A man who threw a backpack with an improvised explosive device that went off at a screening area Wednesday inside a Santa Maria courthouse was scheduled to appear for arraignment on a firearms violation, authorities said.
Five people suffered injuries that are not considered life threatening in the explosion at the courthouse in Santa Barbara County. Twenty-year-old Nathaniel McGuire, a Santa Maria resident, was wearing body armor under a jacket when he was taken into custody after running from the scene and attempting to get into his vehicle, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.
A court security officer detained McGuire in a courthouse parking lot.
Witness Shane Mellon told KSBY that he was at the courthouse when he heard what sounded like chairs falling over. The courtroom bailiff escorted him and others from the building.
“It was a loud bang,” he said.
Mellon said he saw what looked like a sweater smoldering and a man screaming. Four or five people got on top of him, trying to keep him restrained, Mellon said.
“I think this could have been way worse than it was if not for the deputies just jumping on top of that guy,” Mellon said.
The courthouse was closed and residents near the building were told to avoid the area as authorities investigated the explosion. A five-block area that included businesses, homes and a school was evacuated.
McGuire was arrested Wednesday on attempted murder and explosives charges. He was scheduled to appear for arraignment that day in connection with his July arrest for illegal gun possession — a loaded and concealed revolver that was not registered to him.
Investigators said the bombing appeared to be in retaliation for the earlier arrest.
“We do believe this is a local matter that has been safely resolved and that there are no outstanding community safety concerns,” Santa Barbara County Undersheriff Craig Bonner said.
Three of the people injured in the explosion suffered burns. All were treated at a hospital and released.
Santa Maria is about 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Pop star Michael Jackson was tried and acquitted of sexual abuse two decades ago at the courthouse.
Local News
Officer stabbed, suspected attacker dead outside police station in Santa Monica – NBC Los Angeles
A man was shot and killed after stabbing an officer Saturday outside the doors of a police station in Santa Monica.
At around 5:21 p.m., an officer in front of a police station was confronted by a man in his 30s who pulled out a knife on him and began attacking him unprovoked, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
The knife-wielding man slashed, stabbed the officer and continued to follow him as the officer attempted to retreat around the corner of the building.
The officer drew his weapon and opened fire. Santa Monica officers gave the suspect medical aid until the fire department arrived but succumbed to his injuries.
The injured officer was transported to a local hospital with serious stab wounds but is expected to survive, police said.
More information on the attacker was not immediately available.
Local News
Officer stabbed, suspected attacker dead outside police station in Santa Monica – NBC Los Angeles
A man was shot and killed after stabbing an officer Saturday outside the doors of a police station in Santa Monica.
At around 5:21 p.m., an officer in front of a police station was confronted by a man in his 30s who pulled out a knife on him and began attacking him unprovoked, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
The knife-wielding man slashed, stabbed the officer and continued to follow him as the officer attempted to retreat around the corner of the building.
The officer drew his weapon and opened fire. Santa Monica officers gave the suspect medical aid until the fire department arrived but succumbed to his injuries.
The injured officer was transported to a local hospital with serious stab wounds but is expected to survive, police said.
More information on the attacker was not immediately available.
Local News
WWII veteran celebrates 103rd birthday – NBC Los Angeles
Larry Schlesinger, a WWII Army veteran, celebrated his 103rd birthday Saturday surrounded by generations of family and friends, reflecting on over a century of life.
“It feels great to have all these people around me and my whole family going to all this trouble to celebrate my birthday,” said Schlesinger.
The centenarian enlisted in the Army in February of 1942, sailing on the Grey Ghost and the Queen Mary, which served as a troop ship in the war.
Proud of his Jewish heritage, Schlesinger joined the front lines in hopes of putting an end to antisemitism.
“You know at the end of World War Two I came home and thought that will be the end of it. Humanity has learned its lessons. We buried millions of people. We didn’t learn anything. We’ve been at constant war,” said Schlesinger.
The army veteran continues to stay up to date with the current Israel-Hamas war and called the unrest “disturbing.”
He said he never goes to bed without watching the news.
“We live life to enjoy it, stay informed, keep alert to the changes in politics of our country and the rest of the world,” said Schlesinger.
The veteran plans to exercise his American right in the upcoming November election by voting in person.
“We watched the political debates, we pay code attention to the key people involved. And we intend to make our voices heard,” said Schlesinger.
He credits staying interested in the world around him as one of the secrets to a long and healthy life.
“What’s going on in the world is terribly important. Maybe I won’t see if affects me tomorrow or the next day but it will certainly affect my children and grandchildren,” said Schlesinger.
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